The flapping pursuit of a manager at Celtic Park has taken another twist as sources close to Eddie Howe dismiss reports that he’s accepted the challenge to halt Rangers.
The English manager is undoubtedly the top choice of Celtic fans with some reports claiming the deal was all but done [Scottish Sun] and plenty of Parkhead fans jumping the gun this week.
However, in an embarrassing turn of events for Celtic, sources close to Howe have publicly shut down the speculation and claimed there are multiple clubs interested in the manager.
Not only that, but the suggestion from Howe’s camp is that he won’t make a decision on his future until the summer, describing reports of a Celtic deal as “premature”.
“Talks of any deal being close are extremely premature,” explained Howe’s representative in a statement to Sky Sports.
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“His plan remains to not return to management until the summer at the earliest.”
It’ll have a few Celtic fans particularly red-faced – not least the dancing Celtic dad below – who were convinced Howe’s appointment was imminent this week.
https://twitter.com/AnnieKev/status/1378815312515186692
The manager – who brought Bournemouth up through the tiers of English football and established them as a Premier League side before they were relegated last season – has also been linked with Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United [Daily Record].
The entire thing has shades of a Rangers collapse whilst the club was in transition between the sacking of Pedro Caixinha and hiring Steven Gerrard.
Rangers reportedly moved for Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes who is said to have turned the job down to stay at Pittodrie before eventually leaving the club this season.
That didn’t turn out too badly for Rangers with the club moving for Gerrard soon after and the rest – as they say – is history.
Whilst Eddie Howe might be Celtic’s first choice to be Parkhead gaffer, he’s not exactly a name that has struck fear into the hearts of the Rangers faithful.